Indications are that neither of the top two native-bred three-year-olds, Royal Image, winner of the Jamaica 2,000 Guineas and Alsafra, who won both the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas and the Jamaica Oaks, will run in this year's 68th running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup scheduled for Caymanas Park, May 24.

Although a number of top three-year-olds were mentioned, including Royal Image, to run in the prestigious Supreme Venture Limited event of stamina, indications are the Elias Haloute-owned and Anthony Nunes-trained Jamaica 2,000 Guineas winner will stay home.

Paul Hoo (left) of Supreme Ventures Limited presents the Governor's Cup trophy to deputy chairman of Caymanas Track Limited, Lee Clarke, at the Courtleigh Hotel & Suites in Kingston yesterday. (Photo: Collin Reid)

Instead, his less successful stablemate, It Is I, who was runner-up to Alsafra in both the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas and the Jamaica Oaks fillies events, will compete.

It is also reported that Brian Harding, who beat her both times while riding Alsafra, will replace Shane Ellis, who was aboard the bay, Footloose, in both defeats in the Classic events.

A Grade 1 race for native-bred three-year-olds over 2,000 metres the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup will be the centre piece event on the Lotto Raceday programme, and Supreme Ventures has committed a total of $1,050,000 to purses of 10 of the 11 races on the programme.

The exception is the War Zone three-year-old Sprint Trophy, a Grade 111 event for native-bred three-year-olds to be run over 1,100 metres for a purse of $650,000.

The event is run in honour of War Zone, who immortalised local racing by becoming the first Jamaican horse to earn $10 million in stakes.

Now an inductee in racing's Hall Of Fame, the Exotic Traveler out of Sweet Ruckus (Bold Ruckus) bay gelding was also the first to win the Lotto Sprint Trophy, Grade 1 event on three consecutive occasions.
Miller said the event is expected to be very competitive and is hopeful the top two three-year-olds colts will be present as both are training well so far. This was in reference to Royal Image and Commander Zero.

"If one of these do not make it, do not worry as we have more horses that can really put on a good show, and this can come from the likes of Leonidas, Ministerofjustice, It Is I, Good Hope, Machismo and Josie Wales, the horse who won the Supreme Ventures Two-Year-Old Stakes back in 2007," Miller added.

The Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup is the first of four racedays to be sponsored by Supreme Ventures this year. The other three are the rich and exciting Jamaica Two-Year-Old Series scheduled for October 18, November 29 and December 26.

The purse for this year's principal event the Lotto Classic is $2,500,000 increased from $2.25 million last year, which includes $350,000 from the sponsors.

Paul Hoo, Supreme Ventures chairman made the announcement for the 12th staging of the Lotto Classic Raceday at Caymanas Park at a press conference at the Courtleigh Hotel & Suites in Kingston yesterday where Caymanas Track Limited secretary of racing, Denzil Miller Jnr, outlined racing details.

Seeing where the sponsorship is serving to underscore SVL's commitment and support for development of the gaming industry, not only with lotteries and slot machines in local communities, but also horseracing, Hoo said: "It was with supreme pleasure that we accept the opportunity to once again sponsor the Lotto Classic Raceday at Caymanas Park."

Seeing his company's lucrative involvement as a boost for the revitalising of the racing industry, Hoo was expectant.

"Our sponsorship is predicated on the benefit we hope will be accepted as a significant boost for the gaming industry that include the development and improvement in the breeding sector that results in the fine thoroughbreds we see on the track on Lotto Race Day."

In addition to the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup the nine other races include the Lotto Championship Trophy - a race for $180,000 claimers, three-year-olds and upward over 1,200 metres for a purse of $430,000 with $100,000 contributed by the sponsors.

The Lotto Challenge Trophy - a Restricted Allowance 111 event, three-year-olds and upward - over 1,500 metres for a purse of $495,000 and the Lotto Dash Trophy - a maiden race for native-bred Two-Year-Olds over 600 metres straight for a purse of $650,000. All three aforementioned races include a $100,000 top-up from the sponsors.

The 12th running of the Lotto Sprint Trophy is a handicap race for native-bred and Imported Three-Year-Olds and Upward over 1,100 metres for a purse of $1,000,000 of which the sponsor's contribution is $150,000.

This will be the first million-dollar sprint race of the season and according to Miller, could attract the likes of Rampage, the Eros and Arthur Jones Trophy winner; his recent conqueror in the Lady Geeta Trophy, Medical Report; fleet-footed American, Clock Work, and straight five track record-holder and Caribbean Sprint champion, Musical Maestro, who will be making his seasonal debut.

Five other supporting races on the card will each receive an additional $50,000 to purses.

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